Navigating Moral Distress and Moral Injury in Military Veterans: Clinical Implications for Nursing Practice

Moral distress (MD) and moral injury (MI) are potential consequences of military service among veterans. They can be manifested as deep emotional, psychological, and spiritual wounds that are difficult to heal. These deep wounds can go unrecognized because managing specific psychological symptoms can obscure the broader moral and spiritual wounds veterans carry after serving in combat. This paper discusses MD and MI clinical implications for nurses in all specialties and levels or care, but especially for mental health nurses. This paper also explores veterans' psychological and behavioral manifestations of MD and MIy, examines the impact of these conditions, and identifies nursing strategies that foster moral repair. Additionally, it calls for policy initiatives to empower nurses in delivering holistic, veteran-centered care and promote moral healing.